System and method for dynamically changing the content of an internet web page

ABSTRACT

A host Web page includes an evolving interactive dialog box wherein an Internet user may enter user data to be processed. When the user completes entering user data in a first revolution of the interactive dialog box, the first revolution is replaced with a second revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box without disturbing or affecting any other part of the host Web page being displayed. Beneficially, the first and second revolutions may be communicated to a user computer together with and at a same time as the host Web page. Also, the second revolution may include a variety of data which is selected or customized to match the user data submitted in the first revolution. Each revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box may be comprised of any combination of general textual data entry fields, category (pull-down) menus, contact information data entry fields, and opt-in/opt-out buttons.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/887,051, filed Sep. 21, 2010, which application is a Continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/964,470, filed Dec. 26, 2007, whichis a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/393,398, filedMar. 30, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,693,937, which is a Continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/090,024, filed Mar. 28, 2005, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,233,973, which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/824,648, filed Apr. 4, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.6,917,961, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/537,569, filed Mar. 30, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,238,which applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to the field of the Internet and, morespecifically, to a system and method for communicating information overthe Internet.

2) Description of the Related Art

To facilitate understanding of the background and preferred embodimentsof the invention, the following terms and acronyms are used through thisspecification:

Client-Server. A model of interaction in a distributed computer systemin which a program at one site sends a request to a program at anothersite and waits for a response. The requesting program is called the“client,” and the program which responds to the request is called the“server.” In the context of the World Wide Web (discussed below), theclient is a “Web browser” (or simply “browser”) which runs on a computerof a user; the program which responds to browser requests by serving Webpages is commonly referred to as a “Web server.”

Dialog Box. A window or box that appears on a display screen to presentinformation and request user input or user data.

Hyperlink. A navigational link from one document to another, or from oneportion (or component) of a document to another. Typically, a hyperlinkis displayed as a highlighted word or phrase that can be selected byclicking on it using a mouse to jump to the associated document ordocumented portion.

Hypertext System. A computer-based informational system in whichdocuments (and possibly other types of data entities) are linkedtogether via hyperlinks to form a user-navigable “Web.”

Internet. A collection of interconnected (public and/or private)networks that are linked together by a set of standard protocols (suchas TCP/IP and HTTP) to form a global, distributed network. (While thisterm is intended to refer to what is now commonly known as the Internet,it is also intended to encompass variations which may be made in thefuture, including changes and additions to existing standard protocols.)

World Wide Web (“Web”). Used herein to refer generally to both (i) adistributed collection of interlinked, user-viewable hypertext documents(commonly referred to as Web documents or Web pages) that are accessiblevia the Internet, and (ii) the client and server software componentswhich provide user access to such documents using standardized Internetprotocols. Currently, the primary standard protocol for allowingapplications to locate and acquire Web documents is HTTP, and the Webpages are encoded using HTML. However, the terms “Web” and “World WideWeb” are intended to encompass future markup languages and transportprotocols which may be used in place of (or in addition to) HTML andHTTP.

Web Site. A computer system that serves informational content over anetwork using the standard protocols of the World Wide Web. Typically, aWeb site corresponds to a particular Internet domain name, such as“ASKFORFREE.COM®,” and includes the content associated with a particularorganization. As used herein, the term is generally intended toencompass both (i) the hardware/software server components that servethe informational content over the network, and (ii) the “back end”hardware/software components, including any non-standard or specializedcomponents, that interact with the server components to perform servicesfor Web site users.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language). A standard coding convention and setof codes for attaching presentation and linking attributes toinformational content within documents. (HTML 2.0 is currently theprimary standard used for generating Web documents.) During a documentauthoring stage, the HTML codes (referred to as “tags”) are embeddedwithin the informational content of the document. When the Web document(or HTML document) is subsequently transferred from a Web server to abrowser, the codes are interpreted by the browser and used to parse anddisplay the document. Additionally in specifying how the Web browser isto display the document, HTML tags can be used to create links to otherWeb documents (commonly referred to as “hyperlinks”). For moreinformation on HTML, see Ian S. Graham, The HTML Source Book, John Wileyand Sons, Inc., 1995 (ISBN 0471-11894-4).

HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol). The standard World Wide Webclient-server protocol used for the exchange of information (such asHTML documents, and client requests for such documents) between abrowser and a Web server. HTTP includes a number of different types ofmessages which can be sent from the client to the server to requestdifferent types of server actions. For example, a “GET” message, whichhas the format GET, causes the server to return the document or filelocated at the specified URL (see below).

URL (Uniform Resource Locator). A unique address which fully specifiesthe location of a file or other resource on the Internet. The generalformat of a URL is protocol://machine address:port/path/filename. Theport specification is optional, and if none is entered by the user, thebrowser defaults to the standard port for whatever service is specifiedas the protocol. For example, if HTTP is specified as the protocol, thebrowser will use the HTTP default port of 80.

DHTML (Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language). An enhanced version of HTMLwhich includes dynamic presentation features such as cascading stylesheets (CSS), which enhance a Web page designer's control over theplacement of specific elements in a Web page.

There is a constant challenge for Internet Web site operators to attractvisitors and to create “stickiness” and build loyalty to their Websites. Accordingly, in an effort to build and maintain visitor loyalty,Web site operators provide a variety of services to their visitors viathe site's Web pages. Such services may include opinion polls, surveys,contests in which the Web site visitors may participate, and “help” and“contact us” services where a visitor may obtain additional informationor communicate feedback with a Web site operator.

In the past, such services have been made available to visitors throughhyperlinks, such as buttons, embedded on the Web site's home Web page.As is well known, when an Internet user viewing a particular Web page“clicks on” or selects a hyperlink on a Web page that the user iscurrently viewing (the ‘host” Web page), the user's Web browser isdirected away from that host Web page, and a new, linked-to Web page isloaded into the Web browser in its place. Alternatively, the user'scomputer may open a second Web browser window containing the linked-toWeb page, covering the host Web page on the user's computer displayscreen. Or, in some cases, a “pop-up box” opens on the user's computerdisplay screen, covering all or part of the host Web page

Thus, when a user clicks on a hyperlink to take advantage of any ofthese services included in a host Web page which the user is viewing,the user's view of the host Web page disappears, is blocked, or isotherwise significantly altered.

However, in many cases, the provider of the host Web page does not wantto have its host Web page disappear or be covered on the user's computerdisplay screen, or even to have the user's attention turned away fromthe host Web page. This may be the case where the host Web page includespaid advertisement banners and/or paid-for embedded links to other Webpages, such that the provider of the host Web page may lose revenue ifthe user leaves the host Web page or the host's Web site. Also, it isundesirable for the user to have to wait until a new Web page can bedownloaded into their computer's browser to take advantage of theseservices, such as “help” or “contact us” etc.

In response to these needs, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/537,569,the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference for allpurposes as if fully set forth herein, discloses an evolving interactivedialog box for an Internet Web page. After the user enters data into auser data entry box of a first revolution of the evolving interactivedialog box, the first revolution is replaced “in place” with a secondrevolution without disturbing or affecting any other part of the hostWeb page being displayed by the user's computer. Thus, the user is notdriven or distracted away from the host Web site while submitting userdata via the Internet to be processed. And, the user is not forced towait while a new Web page is downloaded into their computer's browser.

The present inventors have subsequently discovered that the evolvinginteractive dialog box first disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/537,569 can be very useful in a number of different Internetapplications. The inventors have also discovered that the utility of theevolving interactive dialog box can be especially enhanced in certainvariants and/or if certain additional features are incorporated therein.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an improved evolvinginteractive dialog box. Other and further objects and advantages willappear hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a first preferred embodiment of an evolvinginteractive dialog box for a Web page;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a second preferred embodiment of an evolvinginteractive dialog box for a Web page;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a third preferred embodiment of an evolvinginteractive dialog box for a Web page;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a fourth preferred embodiment of an evolvinginteractive dialog box for a Web page;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a fifth preferred embodiment of an evolvinginteractive dialog box for a Web page;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a sixth preferred embodiment of an evolvinginteractive dialog box for a Web page;

FIGS. 7A and 78 show a seventh preferred embodiment of an evolvinginteractive dialog box for a Web page;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a preferred embodiment process for processingdata submitted by an Internet user via an evolving interactive dialogbox;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary system for processing user data receivedfrom a user computer via an evolving interactive dialog box;

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate a data entry form for creating an evolvinginteractive dialog box having selected characteristics.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention comprises a method and system for receiving userdata from a user computer via the Internet.

In one aspect of the invention, a host Web page includes an improvedevolving interactive dialog box. Beneficially, the evolving interactivedialog box includes at least a first revolution and a second revolution.After the user provides user data or a request for information via thefirst revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box, the firstrevolution is replaced with a second revolution without disturbing oraffecting any other part of the host Web page being displayed by theuser's computer. Thus, a service may be provided via the interactivedialog box without altering the user's view of the remainder of the hostWeb page.

In another aspect of the invention, the second revolution may consist ofpredetermined content, such as a standard message, logo, image, etc.such that both first and second revolutions may be communicated to auser computer at a same time when the user computer downloads a host Webpage.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the second revolution of anevolving interactive dialog box may include one or more customizedcomponents selected based upon the user data provided in the firstrevolution. Beneficially, such components may include text data, one ormore images, streaming multimedia files, advertisements, and/orhyperlinks to one or more URLs (e.g., for Web pages) which are selectedbased on the user data provided in the first revolution.

In a further aspect of the invention, an evolving interactive dialog boxincludes dynamic characteristics which are easily changed to match a Webpage in which the box is displayed. Such characteristics may includetext font, text color, box shape, and background and foreground colorsof the box.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a first preferred embodiment of an evolvinginteractive dialog box 100 for a host Web page. In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 1A-B, the evolving interactive dialog box 100 has twoevolutionary states, each comprising a dialog box and each hereinreferred to as a “revolution,” 110 and 120.

The first revolution 110 includes first data entry field 112, a seconddata entry field 114, a “Send” button 116, and provider data field 118.The provider data field 118 may be a simple standard text message.Beneficially, the first data entry field 112 is a text entry box whereina user may enter user data, and the second data entry field 114 is atext entry box wherein a user supplies an e-mail address where the usermay receive email.

When a user clicks on the “Send” button 116, the first revolution 110 ofthe evolving interactive dialog box 100 is replaced in place in a hostWeb page with the second revolution 120. When this is done, there are nopage refreshes, URL changes or layering changes to the host Web pagedisplayed in the Web browser displayed on the user's computer. Theuser's Web browser is not pointed away from the host Web page which theuser is viewing, nor does a second Web browser window, or a “pop-upbox,” open on the user's computer display screen. Thus, the user is ableto interact with the evolving interactive dialog box without having theuser's view of the remainder of the host Web page altered in any way.

The second revolution 120 includes a first data field 122, a “Return”button 124, and a second data field 126.

Each data field 122, 126 may comprise textual data, one or more imagefiles, one or more hyperlinks, streaming video, or any combinationthereof. Image files may be in jpeg, gif, animated gif, or any otherconvenient format.

The first and second data fields 122, 126 may each comprise standardprovider data, such as a simple standard text message, or customizeddata sent to the user based upon user data provided in either or both ofthe first and second data entry fields 112, 114 of the first revolution110.

Advantageously, when the first and second data fields 122, 126 eachcomprise only standard provider data, the entire evolving interactivedialog box 100 comprising the first and second revolutions 110, 120 mayhave a fixed layout and may be communicated in its entirety to a Webbrowser installed on the user's computer together with the host Webpage.

In one embodiment, a response in either or both of the data fields 122,126 is selected from a plurality of predefined possible responses basedupon user data provided in either or both of the first and second dataentry fields 112, 114 of the first revolution 110. For example, the userdata may be scanned to detect the presence of one or more preassignedkeywords. Depending upon which if any keywords are detected in the userdata, one or more predetermined hyperlinks for corresponding Web pagesmay be provided in the response. For example, the word “book” may be apreassigned keyword. In that case, the user data is scanned to determineif it includes the word “book” and if it does, then a plurality ofpredetermined hyperlinks to Web sites which sell books are selected andincluded in the response data field 126.

In another embodiment, a response in one or both of the data fields 122,126 is customized for the user by including in the response user dataprovided in either or both of the first and second data entry fields112, 114 of the first revolution 110. For example, the response field126 may include the user's e-mail address provided in the second dataentry field 114, or the user's name or any other personal informationentered in the first data entry field 112.

When a user clicks on the “Return” button 124, the evolving interactivedialog box returns to the first revolution 110.

The first embodiment evolving interactive dialog box 100 is particularlywell suited to applications wherein a user may request some informationor an item from a Web site while the user is browsing and interactingwith a Web page of the Web site. In that case, the user may explain whatthey are seeking in the first data entry field 112, provide an e-mailaddress in the second data entry field 114, and the Web site operatormay later send a message to the user's e-mail address informing him/herof how to obtain whatever it was they were seeking. However, it shouldbe understood that many other applications are possible.

FIGS. 2A and 28 show a second preferred embodiment of an evolvinginteractive dialog box 200 for a Web page. The evolving interactivedialog box 200 has two revolutions 210 and 220.

The first revolution 210 beneficially includes a data entry field 212, a“Send” button 216, and provider data field 218. The provider data field218 may be a simple standard text message. Beneficially, the data entryfield 212 is a text entry box wherein a user supplies an e-mail addresswhere the user may receive e-mail.

When a user clicks on the “Send” button 216, the first revolution 210 ofthe evolving interactive dialog box 200 is replaced in place in a hostWeb page with the second revolution 220. That is, the user's Web browseris not pointed away from the host Web page which the user is viewing,nor does a second Web browser window, or a “pop-up box,” open on theuser's computer display screen. Thus, the user is able to interact withthe evolving interactive dialog box without having the user's view ofthe remainder of the host Web page altered in any way.

The second revolution 220 beneficially includes data field 222. The datafield 222 may comprise textual data, one or more image files, one ormore hyperlinks, or any combination thereof. Image files may be in jpeg,gif, animated gif, or any other convenient format. The data field 222may comprise standard provider data, such as a simple standard textmessage, or customized data sent to the user based upon user dataprovided in the data entry field 212 of the first revolution 210, asdescribed in more detail above with respect to the first embodimentshown to FIGS. 1A-B.

The second embodiment evolving interactive dialog box 200 is well suitedto signing-up Web site visitors to receive free email newsletters. Thesecond embodiment evolving interactive dialog box 200 is alsoparticularly well suited to applications wherein a Web site issponsoring a sweepstakes. In that case, the user may simply enter thesweepstakes by providing an e-mail address in the data entry field 212.The sponsoring Web site provider may then collect the e-mail addressesof all sweepstakes entrants. This provides the sponsoring Web siteprovider with a list of site visitors which can be used for variousmarketing purposes. However, it should be understood that many otherapplications are possible.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a third preferred embodiment of an evolvinginteractive dialog box 300 for a Web page. The evolving interactivedialog box 300 has two revolutions 310 and 320.

The first revolution 310 beneficially includes a data entry field 312, adata entry field 314, a “Send” button 316, and provider data field 318.The data entry field 312 comprises a category menu. Beneficially, thedata entry field 312 comprises a pull-down menu and the second dataentry field 314 is a text entry box wherein a user supplies an e-mailaddress where the user may receive e-mail. Preferably, the data entryfield 312 lists categories, items, products, etc. in which a user may beexpected to have some interest. These categories may be selected basedupon subject matter of a host Web page or Web site wherein the evolvinginteractive dialog box 300 is included.

When a user clicks on the “Send” button 316, the first revolution 310 ofthe evolving interactive dialog box 300 is replaced in place in a hostWeb page with the second revolution 320. That is, the user's Web browseris not pointed away from the host Web page which the user is viewing,nor does a second Web browser window, or a “pop-up box,” open on theuser's computer display screen. Thus, the user is able to interact withthe evolving interactive dialog box without having the user's view ofthe remainder of the host Web page altered in any way.

The second revolution 320 beneficially includes a first data field 322,a “return” button 324, and a second data field 326 Each data field 322,326 may comprise textual data, one or more image files, one or morehyperlinks, or any combination thereof. Image files may be in jpeg, gif,animated gif, or any other convenient format. The first and second datafields 322, 326 may each comprise standard provider data, such as asimple standard text message, or customized data sent to the user basedupon user data provided in either or both of the category menucomprising the data entry field 312 and/or the data entry field 314 ofthe first revolution 310, as described in more detail above with respectto the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-B.

When a user clicks on the ‘return” button 324, the evolving interactivedialog box returns to the first revolution 310. That is, the secondrevolution 320 of the evolving interactive dialog box 300 is replaced inplace in a host Web page with the first revolution 310.

Operation of another example of the evolving interactive dialog box 300will now be explained. For example, the host Web page for the evolvinginteractive dialog box 300 includes samples of various traditional jazzmusic recordings. In that case, the category menu comprising the dataentry field 312 may list a variety of music genres which may alsointerest a visitor to the Web page. A user may select one of thesegenres through the category menu, e.g. jazz-fusion, and provide ane-mail address in the date entry field 314.

When the user clicks on the “Send” button 316, the user's selection(jazz-fusion) and e-mail address are communicated to a sponsor, and maybe stored in a database of the provider. The Web site provider may thensend to the user's e-mail address samples of various jazz-fusionrecordings, as well as offers for the user to purchase full jazz-fusionrecordings or to purchase a membership allowing him/her to downloadjazz-fusion recordings.

Also, when the user clicks on the “Send” button 316, the firstrevolution 310 of the evolving interactive dialog box 300 is replaced inplace in a host Web page with the second revolution 320. The standardprovider data field 322 of the second revolution may include a messageinforming the user that samples have been or will be sent to the e-mailaddress. Meanwhile, the response data field 326 may include a photo of amusical group or album cover for a jazz-fusion recording, and/or one ormore hyperlinks for one or more URLS for Web pages offering jazz-fusionmusic recordings. Optionally, an audio file may be transmitted to auser's computer together with the second revolution, and a browser onthe user's computer may automatically launch an audio player and playthe audio file through the audio system of the user's computer. In thatcase, the audio file may comprise a jazz-fusion musical sample. The“return” button 324 of the second revolution 324 may be labeled “Clickto sign up for more music” and when a user selects it, then the secondrevolution 320 of the evolving interactive dialog box 300 is replaced inplace in a host Web page with the first revolution 310.

In general, as disclosed herein, an evolving interactive dialog box canhave any combination of three types of data entry fields, loosely termedherein: (1) a general textual data entry field; (2) a category(pull-down) menu data entry field; and (3) a contact information (e.g.,e-mail address) data entry field. Evolving interactive dialog boxes maybe constructed with any number of revolutions each having anycombination of these four fields. For example, revolution 110 ofevolving interactive dialog box 100 contains data entry fields (1) and(3). Meanwhile, revolution 210 of evolving interactive dialog box 200only contains data entry field (3) only, and revolution 310 of evolvinginteractive dialog box 300 contains data entry fields (2) and (3).

Accordingly, with the three types of data entry fields, there are sevenpossible combinations of evolving interactive dialog boxes, as shown inthe embodiments of FIGS. 1-7. The explanation of the operation of theembodiments shown in FIGS. 4-7 is similar to that explained above withrespect to FIGS. 1-3 and will not be repeated here.

Additionally, each variation of the evolving interactive dialog box mayoptionally include either or both: (a) an opt-in/opt-out button; and (b)an additional standard provider data field. For example, the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 3 and 4 include the opt-in/opt-out button, while theembodiments in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 include the additional standardprovider data field (footer).

An evolving interactive dialog box may have dynamically assignedfeatures such font type, font size, text color, box shape, boxdimension(s), background colors, foreground colors, etc. Thesecharacteristics may be customized to match a host Web page in which theevolving interactive dialog box is included.

In that case, a representative or operator of a Web site desiring toinclude an evolving interactive dialog box on a Web page of that Website may establish a computer connection with an origination Web sitefor creating the evolving interactive dialog box. The representative oroperator may then fill out an on-line form for selecting customizedcharacteristics for the evolving interactive dialog box. An exemplaryform for creating an evolving interactive dialog box with dynamicallyselected characteristics is shown in FIGS. 10A-10C. Upon submitting thecompleted form, an automated backend process may create Web browserreadable code (e.g., DHTML code) for the evolving interactive dialog boxand supply this code to the representative or operator. This code may besupplied in a variety of different ways, including an e-mail message,being posted at a URL where it may be downloaded, etc. Therepresentative or operator may then include the code for the evolvinginteractive dialog box in the code for the host Web page where theevolving interactive dialog box is intended to appear.

The evolving interactive dialog box may support a variety of interactiveservices, including interactive audio, audio-video, ortelephony/video-telephony services. For example, a first revolution ofthe evolving interactive dialog box may include a data entry box whereina user may supply a telephone number for establishing a telephonyconnection. Upon entering the telephone number and clicking a “dial”button, the first revolution may be replaced in place by a secondrevolution including a streaming video window for displaying the videoof a video-telephony call. Many such interactive and multimedia servicesmay be provided on a host Web page through an evolving interactivedialog box, all without disturbing a remainder of the host Web page.

An exemplary operation of an evolving interactive dialog box will beexplained with respect to the flowchart of FIG. 8, illustrating apreferred embodiment of a process 800 for processing data from anInternet user via an evolving interactive dialog box, such as theexemplary evolving interactive dialog box 300.

The process 800 may be better understood with reference to the blockdiagram of FIG. 9 illustrating an exemplary system 900 or processinguser data received from a user computer. The system 900 comprises a usercomputer 910, a host server 920 for providing a host Web page, a remotedata processing system 930, and one or more sponsor computers 940 allconnected via the internet 950. The remote data processing system 930preferably includes: at least one server computer for receiving andtransmitting information via the Internet, and at least one database forstoring user data received from a user computer 910. The remote dataprocessing system 930 may be combined with a sponsor computer 940through a same Internet connection.

In a first step 810, a user computer 910 establishes an Internetconnection with a host Web site, which may be provided by the hostserver 820, and requests transmission of a host Web page which includesan evolving interactive dialog box, such as the evolving interactivedialog box 300.

In a second step 815, the host Web site transmits the host Web pageacross the Internet to the user computer 810 for display on a displayscreen by a Web browser resident on the user computer 810.

In a preferred embodiment, the host Web site transmits together with thehost Web page first and second dialog boxes, or revolutions, of anevolving interactive dialog box, such the evolving interactive dialogbox 300.

In a next step 820, the Web browser of the user computer displays thehost Web page. Displayed in a predetermined location of the host Webpage is a first revolution 310 of the evolving interactive dialog box300. Alternatively, in another embodiment, a simple clickable box may bedisplayed on the host Web page. The clickable box may include text, suchas “Contact us” or “Help.” When the user clicks on the clickable box,the first revolution 310 of the evolving interactive dialog box 300 maybe displayed.

In a preferred embodiment, the host Web page is implemented using DHTLand displays the evolving interactive dialog box 300 with dynamicallyselected features such as box shape, colors, text, categories, etc.Although DHTML is used in the preferred embodiment, otherimplementations are possible, including JAVA® or FLASH®-basedimplementations. DHTML has advantages over JAVA® in that the applicationis loaded together with the host Web page, and therefore runs morequickly. Also, DHTML is more stable across browsers and operatingsystems than a JAVA® Virtual Machine.

In a next step 825, a user interacts with the first revolution 310 ofthe evolving interactive dialog box 300 by selecting a category from apull-down menu of a data entry field and by supplying an e-mail address.

In a next step 830, the user indicates that the user data has beencompletely entered into the data entry fields of the first revolution.Preferably, the user makes this indication by clicking on the ‘Send”button 316 shown in FIG. 3.

In a next step 835, a data validity check is performed on the user dataentered in the first revolution. Preferably, the validity check istailored to the nature of the user data. For example, where the userdata is an e-mail address entered in a contact information data entryfield, a validity check may be performed on the e-mail address, orperhaps just the root domain name of the e-mail address. Alternatively,where the user data is simply user feedback in a general textual dataentry field of the first revolution, the data may simply be checked todetermine whether it is blank or missing, indicating that the userinadvertently clicked on a button to submit the date before it wasentered. Many such variations of data validity checks may be performedas appropriate.

If the validity check indicates that there is a problem with the datasubmitted in the first revolution (e.g., data entry fields lacking anyentered data), then in a step 840 the first revolution of the evolvinginteractive dialog box is replaced in place in the host Web page with a“third” dialog box or revolution, alerting the user that the user datais invalid, and preferably notifying the user of which data entry fieldshave not been filled-in, or that there is an invalid e-mail address,etc. The term “third” revolution as used above is simply used for aid indistinguishing the dialog box containing the alert message from thenormal first and second revolutions, and does not in any way connote anorder in which the revolutions are displayed. Indeed, if the user entersvalid data, the “third” revolution is never displayed.

In a step 845 the user may click a button in the “third” revolution toreturn to the first revolution and reenter valid data in the appropriatedata entry field(s). In that case, in a step 850 the “third” revolutionof the evolving interactive dialog box is replaced in place in the hostWeb page with the first revolution, and the process continues at thestep 825 above.

If the validity check indicates that the user data supplied in the firstrevolution of the evolving interactive dialog box is valid, then in anext step 855 a category ID for the category selected by the Internetuser and the user's e-mail address are communicated via the Internet tothe remote data processing system 930.

In a step 860, which may be performed before, during, or subsequent tothe step 855, the first revolution of the evolving interactive dialogbox is replaced in place in the host Web page with a second revolutionsuch as the second revolution 320 of FIG. 3.

Advantageously, display of the remainder of the host Web page on theuser computer is not affected by the revolution of the evolvinginteractive dialog box. The user's Web browser is not pointed away fromthe host Web page which the user is viewing, nor does a second Webbrowser window, or a “pop-up box,” open on the user's computer displayscreen. Thus, the user is able to interact with the evolving interactivedialog box without having the user's view of the remainder of the hostWeb page altered in any way. When the user is executing a processinvolving the evolving interactive dialog box, the user's Web browserremains loaded with the host Web page at all times.

In one embodiment, the second revolution 320 includes an acknowledgmentof the user data entered in that first revolution. The second revolutionmay also include a “Return” button to allow the Internet user to returnto the first revolution and step 825 above enter additional user data,such as an additional category.

While preferred embodiments are disclosed herein, many variations arepossible which remain within the concept and scope of the invention. Forexample, in the method for processing a question received from anInternet user via the Internet, the interrogation processing system mayset an alarm when it receives a question from a user. In that case,interrogation processing system may send a prompt to the selectedsponsor if it has not received a reply to the question from the sponsorwithin a predetermined time interval. Such variations would become clearto one of ordinary skill in the art after inspection of thespecification, drawings and claims herein. The invention therefore isnot to be restricted except within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A computer-implemented method comprising: using a processor toprovide a content object; providing an automated process for creating acontent viewer readable code component, the content viewer readable codecomponent including dynamically selectable characteristics, the contentviewer readable code component being useable with a plurality ofdifferent content viewers provided by a plurality of different contentviewer providers; combining the content viewer readable code componentin code for the content object; and changing a portion of the contentobject upon execution of the content viewer readable code componentwithout altering the remainder of the content object.
 2. The method asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the portion of the content object changedupon execution of the content viewer readable code component includes atext box.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portion of thecontent object changed upon execution of the content viewer readablecode component includes an image.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1wherein the portion of the content object changed upon execution of thecontent viewer readable code component includes a video clip.
 5. Themethod as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portion of the content objectchanged upon execution of the content viewer readable code componentincludes an audio clip.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein thedynamically selectable characteristics of the content viewer readablecode component include at least one characteristic from the group:shape, color, text, and category.
 7. A computer-implemented methodcomprising: using a processor to provide a content object from a firstsource; providing a content viewer readable code component from a secondsource different from the first source, the content viewer readable codecomponent including dynamically selectable characteristics, the contentviewer readable code component being useable with a plurality ofdifferent content viewers provided by a plurality of different contentviewer providers; combining the content viewer readable code componentinto the content object; serving the combined content object to a usersystem; and changing a portion of the content object upon execution ofthe content viewer readable code component at the user system withoutaltering the remainder of the content object.
 8. The method as claimedin claim 7 wherein the portion of the content object changed uponexecution of the content viewer readable code component includes a textbox.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the portion of thecontent object changed upon execution of the content viewer readablecode component includes an image.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 7wherein the portion of the content object changed upon execution of thecontent viewer readable code component includes a video clip.
 11. Themethod as claimed in claim 7 wherein the portion of the content objectchanged upon execution of the content viewer readable code componentincludes an audio clip.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein thedynamically selectable characteristics of the content viewer readablecode component include at least one characteristic from the group:shape, color, text, and category.
 13. A system comprising: a computer; acontent viewer operably installed on the computer; and a content objectaccessible to the computer via the content viewer, the content objectincluding a content viewer readable code component, the content viewerreadable code component including dynamically selectablecharacteristics, the content viewer readable code component beinguseable with a plurality of different content viewers provided by aplurality of different content viewer providers, the content viewerreadable code component changing a portion of the content object uponexecution of the content viewer readable code component without alteringthe remainder of the content object.
 14. The system as claimed in claim13 wherein the portion of the content object changed upon execution ofthe content viewer readable code component includes a text box.
 15. Thesystem as claimed in claim 13 wherein the portion of the content objectchanged upon execution of the content viewer readable code componentincludes an image.
 16. The system as claimed in claim 13 wherein theportion of the content object changed upon execution of the contentviewer readable code component includes a video clip.
 17. The system asclaimed in claim 13 wherein the portion of the content object changedupon execution of the content viewer readable code component includes anaudio clip.
 18. The system as claimed in claim 13 wherein thedynamically selectable characteristics of the content viewer readablecode component include at least one characteristic from the group:shape, color, text, and category.
 19. A system comprising: a firstcomputer; a content viewer operably installed on the first computer; acontent object accessible to the first computer via the content viewer;a second computer different from the first computer; a content viewerreadable code component accessible to the second computer, the contentviewer readable code component including dynamically selectablecharacteristics, the content viewer readable code component beinguseable with a plurality of different content viewers provided by aplurality of different content viewer providers; combining the contentviewer readable code component into the content object; serving thecombined content object to a user system; and changing a portion of thecontent object upon execution of the content viewer readable codecomponent at the user system without altering the remainder of thecontent object.
 20. The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein theportion of the content object changed upon execution of the contentviewer readable code component includes a text box.
 21. The system asclaimed in claim 19 wherein the portion of the content object changedupon execution of the content viewer readable code component includes animage.
 22. The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the portion of thecontent object changed upon execution of the content viewer readablecode component includes a video clip.
 23. The system as claimed in claim19 wherein the portion of the content object changed upon execution ofthe content viewer readable code component includes an audio clip. 24.The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the dynamically selectablecharacteristics of the content viewer readable code component include atleast one characteristic from the group: shape, color, text, andcategory.